Job description
Do you want to work for a pension fund that puts the environment at the heart of your role, values difference and includes everyone? Then the Environment Agency Pension Fund is for you.
We are looking for someone to help keep the Fund at the forefront of responsible investment and ensure delivery of our sustainability-led Investment Strategy.
The Environment Agency Pension Fund (EAPF) is an open defined benefit scheme, which is part of the Local Government Pension Scheme.
We manage over £5 billion assets which provides pensions for our 40 000 members. As part of the Environment Agency, we are fully committed to having an inclusive workforce which reflect the members we serve.
The role will play a keep part in overseeing the work of our pooling partner LPPI, who are responding for implementing the Fund’s Strategic Asset Allocation.
This will include:
- Providing input to the strategic direction of the Fund’s investment approach;
- Identifying and discussing green growth opportunities with our pool LPPI;
- Monitoring and oversight of all our investments in both public and private markets;
- Advising on climate change and biodiversity impacts of investments;
- Providing assurance on the work of LPPI through bilateral and joint partnership working;
- Reporting progress to the EAPF’s Investment Oversight Group and Pensions Committee;
- Responding to member, media and public enquiries on our approach to investment; and
- Networking across the finance community, representing the EAPF in relevant meetings and undertaking public speaking commitments.
You will line manage one member of staff who holds the position of Investment Analyst.
The Team
The Pensions Team sits in the Strategy, Transformation and Assurance Directorate that reports into the Environment Agency's Chief Executive.
The team is based in Bristol, although you can work from other locations. There are 20 people in the team, working on investment, finance, administration and governance.
We are a friendly team, committed to delivering a great pension fund. We have flexible working arrangements.
The work will involve frequent travel to Bristol, London and potentially overseas.
Experience/Skills Required
You will ideally demonstrate:
- Experience and knowledge of investing across asset classes.
- A strong understanding of responsible investment and impact investing.
- A strong understanding of climate science and natural capital, and its relevance for investing.
- Knowledge of the LGPS and pooling.
Excellent communication skills are vital as you’ll be working with a diverse range of people and will represent the Fund in a variety of meetings.
You will have, or be looking to gain, an investment qualification or relevant professional qualification. You will have a degree level education, preferably in a numerical discipline, although we can waive these requirements for a candidate with exceptional experience.
We welcome flexible working patterns, including job share, so please include any information regarding your preferred working arrangements on your application.
Additional Information:
For further information on this role, the employee benefits and the work of the Environment Agency, please download the candidate pack via the Apply link.
Please note that that your answers to the capability questions will be used to determine interview selection.
The Environment Agency offer an extensive range of employee benefits. There are also fully funded opportunities to develop further academic/professional qualifications.
If you are a new starter to the Environment Agency, please note that you may be required to undertake an incident-response role.
We are hoping to interview in mid November, preferably in person in Bristol.
Competence 1:
Delivers Results Through Others
Competence 1 Description:
This is about harnessing the team to deliver results on time, to required standards and in line with organisational processes and procedures.
How would you go about overseeing the work of LPPI to ensure they deliver our Investment Strategy? What experience have you got of working for a pension fund? Have you worked in green investing, or overseen the work of those who have, and if so in which asset classes?
Competence 2:
Communicates Effectively
Competence 2 Description:
This is about showing that you listen and question to understand and engage. It is about conveying information and ideas clearly, accurately and persuasively through speech and writing.
How would you communicate the Fund’s investment approach with our members, our Pensions Committee, external investment partners and in public arenas? Have you taken reports to committees? Have you dealt with beneficiaries? Can you tell us about your experience of communicating pension issues and the different audiences involved.
Competence 3:
Focuses on Efficiency, Innovation and Quality
Competence 3 Description:
This is about identifying and seizing the opportunity to create, introduce and implement new or improved methods, processes and without, compromising quality or accuracy.
How would you develop our Investment Strategy and make sure that it remains at the forefront of responsible investment? Have you brought forward new innovative approaches in relation to responsible investment? What sorts of things would you consider to ensure that the Fund remains fully funded and fit for the long-term?
